Various parts of Cyprus woke up to a drenching this Christmas morning as heavy downpours hammered the east of the island. Viral footage across social media shows fierce rainfall and flash flooding, with streets transformed into fast-flowing rivers across the Larnaca district and the Free Famagusta area.
While the eastern districts battle the deluge, the rest of the island tells a different story. In other regions, residents are enjoying bright sunshine and mild temperatures, with the mercury hitting a pleasant 19°C.
Forecast for the next few days
While Christmas morning brought a reprieve for some, the Cyprus Meteorological Department warns that a more unsettled pattern is taking hold. An area of weak high pressure currently influencing the region will give way to more intense localized phenomena starting this afternoon.
Christmas Day afternoon & tonight
Expect partly cloudy skies with isolated showers developing across the island.
Winds: Light to moderate (3-4 Beaufort) from the northeast to southeast.
Tonight: Temperatures will dip to 10°C inland, 12°C on the coast, and a chilly 4°C in the highest mountain peaks.
Warning: Frost is expected to form locally in the Troodos mountains tonight.
Boxing Day (Friday) outlook
The weather will take a more dramatic turn tomorrow, particularly after midday.
Conditions: Local rain and isolated thunderstorms are expected.
Troodos: Forecasters haven’t ruled out sleet or snow on the highest peaks of the Troodos range.
Hail: There is a risk of hail during thunderstorm activity.
Temperatures: Highs of 19°C inland and 20°C on the coast.